Can You Use Retinol After Epilation?
If you’re a regular waxer or use an epilator, chances are you may not have considered how waxing when using a retinol product can be a bad idea. Retinol works on the outer surface of the skin and provides several skin benefits, from reducing the signs of ageing, fading hyperpigmentation, and helping to boost collagen production. The snag in applying this potent form of vitamin A to a skin that has been freshly waxed or had some form of hair removal will cause irritation and flare-up in redness or allergic reaction. This is because with hair removal, you’re not only removing hair follicles but dead skin cells too. In a way hair removing acts like another form of exfoliation and using retinol on the top will increase sensitivity to the skin as well as being extremely painful.
Now that you have a little more understanding of using retinol after epilation, let’s dive in deeper to find out more about the dos and don’ts of hair removal and retinol to help you gain optimal results without any hair raising (get it?) skin disasters.
If you are still a little puzzled to what retinol actually does for the skin and how to introduce it to your skincare routine, check out our dedicated blog post.
Is it okay to use retinol after waxing?
Not really, only because of the skin’s increased sensitivity after waxing which when teamed with retinol can cause a lot of irritation. As I have already mentioned applying retinol after waxing can be too much for the skin as the exfoliation caused by waxing removes hair and skin cells revealing fresh, sensitive skin cells that will give the skin a brighter, glowing finish, but are too fragile for retinol to be applied, even if it’s already a well-established ingredient in your daily routine.
The best way of using retinol with waxing is to avoid applying retinol for seven nights before you plan to wax. Once you have performed your waxing switch to serums enriched in hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, for the next 72 hours. This will leave enough time for the skin to rebalance and strengthen ready for retinol application again.
What to do after waxing with retinol?
With any form of waxing comes some level of rawness left behind on the skin, but in some rare cases this can actually be a mild burn. It’s important to ensure that hygiene and cleanliness are followed, and you should hold off on any potent skincare formulations you already use in your daily routine. Here are some tips on how to speed up the healing process if you experience any rawness or burning.
Stop using retinol products 7 days before you plan to wax
Ensure your hands, skin and equipment are clean before use.
After waxing apply an antibiotic or antiseptic cream to ward off infection
Use a serum enriched in hyaluronic acid for the next 3 days after waxing
Hold off on using potent formulations, even if your skin has a tolerance for them
Always apply a daily sunscreen with a factor higher than 30 SPF every day, even when it’s raining.
There you have some of the basic tips to use after waxing, however everyone’s skin is different and can react differently so if you have any concerns, consult with a doctor or dermatologist to give you some peace of mind.
How long do I need to stop using retinol before waxing?
To be on the safe side, it advised to stop using retinol about 7 days before waxing to prevent any risk of flare-up in redness or irritation.
One misconception of retinol is that it’s often thought it exfoliates the skin, when in fact it increases the skin cell turnover cycle pushing the new skin cells to the surface. Here lays the problem in using retinol prior to waxing. When you wax, you need a small layer of dead skin cells forming a protective layer over the fresh, new cells to avoid mild skin burns. If that layer isn’t there, it can lead to all manner of irritation, redness, rashes, and minor surface wounds on the skin.
Can you use retinol before laser hair removal?
No, it’s best to avoid using retinol before laser hair removal as there would be a similar problem as using retinol before waxing.
When fresh, new skin cells reach the surface of the skin you can expect the protective barrier to be fully functioning. However, these new cells are fragile and require a helping hand to strengthen. This ensures the barrier on the skin surface can combat exposure to free radicals, such a UV rays, pollution, and other environmental aggressors. If the skin barrier is depleted of the essential water and oil levels it needs, you’ll find that damage to the skin can occur, such as signs of ageing, like fine line and wrinkles becoming more prominent, increased areas of hyperpigmentation and skin sagging to name just a few.
What should I not do before waxing my face?
Here are some things to avoid before waxing your face.
Don’t tan 24 to 48 hours before you plan to wax. Stay out of the sun and don’t go on a sun bed to avoid the skin becoming more sensitive. You should also avoid tanning 48 hours after waxing as this will increase the risk of sunburn.
Don’t exfoliate 48 hours before waxing to avoid any irritation.
Don’t wear any makeup or skincare products when you wax as this will prevent the wax from sticking on the skin.
Don’t go to any saunas or steam rooms and avoid hot showers.
Don’t scratch the skin after waxing, as tempting as this may be as this will increase the potential risk of infection.
There you have some of the main “don’ts” when it comes to waxing, don’t forget however that if you have any concerns, big or small, its best to consult with a trained or medical professional.
If you have any other skincare questions, come and follow us on Instagram, you’ll find me in the direct messages, I’ll see you there!
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
